A is for Autumn & Air
Air is the theme of Autumn with the rise of the air and ether elements. We must remain attuned that Autumn’s irregular winds of change can create imbalance within, enhancing the qualities of light, dry, cold, rough, subtle and mobile.
The Autumn season, commonly known in Ayurveda as the Vata season, is a time to nourish and ground the energy of action, transportation, and movement. Vata is simply responsible for every movement in the body. Impulses, circulation, respiration, and elimination are all governed by Vata dosha. Vata inherently governs our nervous system, our vayus (winds) as these are the sub-doshas of Vata dosha, as well as our pranic (life-force) energy. With that said, breath should become a key element of any Autumn practice.
Traditionally speaking, in ancient India, pranayama (breathwork) is taught in the Autumn and Spring, or the seasons of transition. As it is during these transitional seasons, the bolstering of elemental balance and the balancing of the vital essences prana, tejas, and ojas, is necessary for nurturing and supporting overall health and wellbeing.
Still today, through conscious awareness and recognition, we can create an intentional, supported, and structured container to awaken, stabilize, balance, and nurture the vayus (winds) within. The practices of pranayama can assist us in cultivating greater ease and sustainability for the Autumn season. And, perhaps there is simply no better time to master the art of breathing than in Autumn, when the pranic-atmosphere is heightened and infused at the macroscopic and microscopic levels of being.
To cultivate a deeper understanding of the benefits of pranayama, one shall consider strengthening their understanding of the vayus (sub-doshas of Vata dosha) and their functional applications.
The vayus (aka. five winds within) grant us a profound understanding and appreciation that breathwork is truly the vital key for maintenance and preservation of prana (life-force). Prana is the universal creative energy and the energy that circulates through the body and regulates all bodily functions. Prana is divided into different forms called vayus (winds), each with its own area of the body and key health function/s that support, sustain, and liberate overall wellbeing.
Prana
The vital force. Prana’s functional area is in the head and chest, with the primary location in the head and brain. Prana governs breathing (respiration), mental activity, and emotions. Prana has a downward and inward movement. Prana stimulates heart and circulation, regulates our optical, auditory and olfactory senses, is responsible for sensory perception, and helps us maintain consciousness and receive knowledge. Prana’s main actions are to control the other vayus, inhalation, the senses, the mind, and consciousness. When prana is imbalanced we may experience confusion, anxiety, fear, insomnia, and or experience weakened or dull senses.
Udana
Upward moving vayu (wind). Udana’s functional area is in the throat and upper chest region governing communication (speech), exhalation, effort, and the circulation to the upper part of the body. Udana preserves strength and vitality of the body as well as memory, both experiential and cognitive. Udana’s main actions are to control exhalation, speech, memory recollection, and the upward movements of the body. An imbalance in Udana vayu may present itself as problems with the throat and or speech, lung disorders, weak memory and acute and or chronic indecisiveness.
Samana
Balancing vayu (wind). Samana’s functional area is the gastro-intestinal area with the primary location in the small intestine. Samana governs digestion, absorption, dissemination of nutrients, assists in the secretion of digestive enzymes, bile and pancreatic juice. Samana vayu maintains peristalsis as well as the regeneration and nourishment of brain cells. Samana’s main actions are to control digestion, balance the bodily systems, as well as serve as the meeting point of prana and apana vayus. When samana is imbalanced, one may experience indigestion, constipation, loss of appetite, and poor nutrient absorption.
Apana
Eliminating vayu (wind). Apana’s functional area in the colon and pelvic region governs our ability to hold urine, feces, flatus, semen, ovum, and menstrual discharge for a particular period prior to evacuation. Apana’s main actions are to control elimination, sexual function, menstruation, and the downward movements in the body. An imbalance in Apana vayu can present itself as constipation, diarrhea, pain during menses, hormonal imbalance and urinary problems.
Vyana
Circulating vayu (wind). Vyana’s functional area is in the heart and whole body governing propulsion from the center to the periphery. Movement of the heart and carrying of blood, as well as the propelling of nutritive substances to the periphery are functions of Vyana vayu. Vyana’s main actions are to control the heart, circulation of blood, as well as muscular and joint movements. When vyana is imbalanced one may experience poor circulation, heart palpitations, anxiety, and motor reflex problems.
“Prana is not only the basic life-force, it is the master form of all energy working on the level of the mind, life, and body.”